Adele has been accused of “cultural appropriation” over her latest Instagram post.
The singer shared a snap as she celebrated what would have been Notting Hill Carnival, an annual event that celebrates black culture.
The 32-year-old posed in a Jamaican flag bikini and wore her hair in Bantu knots, a traditional African hairstyle – which sparked outrage across social media.
“Happy what would be Notting Hill Carnival my beloved London,” she captioned the post.
“If 2020 couldn’t get anymore bizarre, Adele is giving us Bantu knots and cultural appropriation that nobody asked for,” one Twitter user wrote, “This officially marks all of the top white women in pop as problematic. Hate to see it.”
Another user wrote: “If you haven’t quite understood cultural appropriation, look at @Adele’s last Instagram post. She should go to jail no parole for this.”
A third tweeted: “Alright, who had Adele’s cultural appropriation on their 2020 Bingo Card?”
If 2020 couldn't get anymore bizarre, Adele is giving us Bantu knots and cultural appropriation that nobody asked for.
This officially marks all of the top white women in pop as problematic.
Hate to see it. pic.twitter.com/N9CqPqh7GX
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) August 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/heyitskenisha/status/1300201914924240897
https://twitter.com/whoyoucantletgo/status/1300203454791647233
Adele so badly wants to be black😭 Cultural Appropriation at its finest. You look like you’re in pain @adele, like, the regret is visible for this stunt you just pulled. Patiently awaiting your notes apology. pic.twitter.com/VJgmupiDvF
— Kunta’s Kente (@bob_osh) August 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/aurexm/status/1300202730586243073
Other people rushed to Adele’s defence, arguing that the singer was “culture appreciating” rather than “appropriating”.
“Listen up y’all! That Adele pic ain’t cultural appropriation, it’s cultural appreciation!” one user wrote.
“The Notting Hill Carnival is a celebration of cultural diversity that encourages community cohesion. Do your own research if you don’t believe me. What happened to y’all being kinder?”
Listen up y'all! That Adele pic ain't cultural appropriation, it's cultural appreciation! The Notting Hill Carnival is a celebration of cultural diversity that encourages community cohesion. Do your own research if you don't believe me. What happened to y'all being kinder?
— Tiela Leo 🌈🦄 (@TielaLeo) August 30, 2020
This is cultural appriciation not appropriation… Its as if black people think she's tryna change her skin tone. Stop victimising yourselves and actually look at the root of the racism you face. Adele admiring and embracing cultural outfits is amazing. pic.twitter.com/dtwy7cTPSX
— AdvocateforJudeans (@advocateforjews) August 30, 2020
Wake up to find out people are trying to cancel Adele for “cultural appropriation” at a festival that was created to… get this… to *share culture* so glad so many Jamaicans are pushing back against this nonsense https://t.co/JQPX6yKrZG
— Mischief (@mischief_394) August 31, 2020
